A BARRHEAD ballerina is heading to the bright lights of London after winning a place at a prestigious dance school.

Robyn McKie, 16, pirouetted past the competition to secure a training spot at the internationally-renowned English National Ballet School.

Each year, the school conducts vigorous UK and overseas auditions that see up to 1,000 young people compete for a few select places offered to the most talented candidates.

After successfully passing the initial video auditions, Robyn was again put through her paces against the world’s elite in further preliminary and final auditions in London.

Robyn, a former house captain at Cross Arthurlie Primary, is one of only a few Brits to successfully gain entry to the ballet school – and the only female dancer from Scotland to do so.

She told the Barrhead News: “I am so excited for the next chapter of my journey. It is an exciting time for English National Ballet and the school is moving to a new home, City Island, just north of Canary Wharf.

“I received many lovely offers from top ballet schools but couldn’t pass this amazing opportunity at ENB.”

Robyn’s love of dance began at the age of two, inspired by mum Jayne, who is a former professional dancer.

At 11, she gained a place at the Dance School of Scotland, where she continued to excel, performing in numerous productions, including a tour in the lead child role of Clara in Scottish Ballet’s The Nutcracker.

In 2016, Robyn was one of two students to receive a certificate of achievement award at the Royal Ballet International Summer School and, last year, was selected for the Scottish Ballet Youth Exchange Programme, where members travelled to New York, climaxing in a performance at the Joyce Theatre.

On graduating from the Dance School of Scotland in June, Robyn received the Outstanding Achievement Award.

Proud mum Jayne, her husband Scott and Robyn’s younger brother Blair are all absolutely delighted by her continued success.

Jayne said: “Robyn is devoted to her ballet and to have that recognised by one of the world’s top ballet schools means everything to her and makes family and friends very proud indeed.

“It will be hard to get used to Robyn living away from home in London, being so young, but she is passionate and focused on achieving her goal of becoming a professional ballerina.”